The new Hulu limited series “Under the Bridge” delves into the true story of Reena Virk, a 14-year-old girl who was brutally murdered by her peers in 1997. The series, starring Oscar nominee Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough, sheds light on the shocking events that unfolded and the lasting impact on Reena’s family.
Reena’s tragic story began on November 14, 1997, when she was invited to a party under a bridge in Saanich, a suburb of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. There, a group of teens known as the “Shoreline Six” attacked her.
According to reports, Reena was confronted by one of the group members, Nicole Cook, who accused her of spreading rumors. The confrontation turned violent, with Cook and others, including Kelly Ellard and Warren Glowatski, beating and kicking Reena.
The brutal assault did not end there. Ellard and Glowatski reportedly followed the injured Reena as she tried to get away and continued to attack her, ultimately drowning her in the water. Reena’s body was not discovered until eight days later, by which time the details of the horrific incident had begun to emerge, leaving authorities and the community stunned.
“Even as police officers, I think most of us were taken aback by the savagery of it and the absolute senselessness of it,” Rob Dibden, a former Victoria Police Sgt., said to the Vancouver Sun.
Reena’s troubled relationship with her parents, who were Jehovah’s Witnesses, and her history of running away from home, initially made it difficult for authorities to take the case seriously. However, as the investigation progressed, it became clear that Reena had been the victim of a brutal attack by her peers.
Glowatski was eventually convicted of second-degree murder and served time in prison, while Ellard faced a lengthy legal battle that culminated in her conviction in 2005. The remaining members of the “Shoreline Six” pleaded guilty to assault but denied involvement in Reena’s killing.
After her death, the victim’s parents, Manjit and Suman Virk, worked tirelessly to raise awareness about bullying and the failures of the justice system that they believed contributed to their daughter’s death. Suman Virk, who passed away in 2018, even found solace in connecting with Glowatski and hearing his remorse.
“Under the Bridge,” which was inspired by the 2005 book written by Rebecca Godfrey, aims to shed light on this heartbreaking case and the complex web of relationships, rumors, and societal issues that led to Reena Virk’s tragic demise.
You can watch the trailer of “Under the Bridge” below.